Empty by Purpura Lipstick
Chapter 1 by Purpura Lipstick
Brian


“Reservation for Littrell,” Brian said to the maitre d'. The haughty looking woman scanned the pages in the book in front of her and nodded to herself before looking up and smiling at the couple standing in front of her.

“Yes, of course,” she motioned to another woman standing nearby. “Please show the Littrell's to their table.” The woman handed the significantly younger woman two menus and made a tiny 'shoo' motion with her hands before turning to the next couple standing behind Brian and his wife.

Brian could feel Laney slip her hand in his as they navigated their way through the restaurant to their table. When they arrived, it was Brian's turn to nod to himself, the table was perfect. Near a window with a beautiful view of the skyline. He pulled the chair out for his wife and caught a hint of her shampoo. He inhaled deeply, before moving to take his seat.

Almost immediately their waiter arrived and was questioning them about drink selections and giving them all the information about the chef's specials. Laney took charge to order a bottle of wine, she had the palate for wine, Brian couldn't tell the box stuff from the expensive bottles, but Laney, she enjoyed wine tastings and visiting vineyards.

“Laney,” Brian breathed her name out when they were finally alone. Her face lit up causing Brian to lose his train of thought. Her blond hair was loosely pulled back, allowing strands of hair to fall and frame her face. Her slight figure and porcelain skin was accented by the pale blue dress he knew she bought just for this night, their first anniversary.

“Can you believe it's already been a year?” She reached her hand across and placed it gently on top of Brian's, her touch still made his skin tingle.

“It seems like yesterday you were walking down that aisle towards me, after finally agreeing to become my wife. It only took me asking three times before you would say yes.” His smile turned into the playful smirk that Laney loved so much.

In return, she playfully slapped his hand. “We've been over this, asking me while I slept does not count as actually asking me.”

“I thought you were still awake, you didn't have your usual chainsaw snore so I can only assume you heard me and ignored me.” Brian looked up as the waiter returned and poured a sample of the wine, watched as Laney tasted it as she often did at tastings and nodded in approval. The server then continued to fill both of their glasses and set the bottle down.

“Are you ready to order?” He asked in almost an annoyed tone.

“We need a few more moments.” Brian answered readily, the waiter glared down at him with a look like he just smelled something rotten. He couldn't hold his chuckle when he caught a glimpse of Laney.

“Remind me why I wanted to come here?” She asked him.

“It's the newest, hottest spot in town and you just have to be in with all the fabulous people.”

“I suppose we should decide what we want to eat before he comes back, we wouldn't want to disappoint him even more.” Laney opened her menu and began to skim the different items. Brian watched her for a moment as she unconsciously started twirling one of the loose strands of hair around her finger as she read.

Flipping open his own menu, he read through the options. “Lobster B.L.T.?” He questioned.

“It's something different.” Laney shrugged, apparently having her own decision issues.

Brian sighed and went back to trying to find something to eat. Relief swept over him when he noticed that he could order steak and potatoes. He folded his menu, Laney did as well, and before the menus even touched the table, their waiter was back.

“What can I get you this evening?”

Brian proceeded to order his steak and listened as Laney ordered the same thing. The waiter made a scoffing noise as he took their menus and walked away.

“Where were we?” Brian asked.

“I believe you were insinuating that I snore like a chainsaw. You have yet to provide any physical evidence of this so-called snoring.” Laney realized she was twirling her hair and quickly dropped her hand back to the table.

“Snoring aside, this last year has been happier than I could ever have imagined.” he could see the tears beginning to well in her eyes, he quickly pulled the small package out of his pocket and set it on the table. “With all the love in my heart, I give this gift to you.” He pushed the package towards her.

“I thought we already gave each other our gifts Brian.”

“Yes, but I was saving this one for tonight.”

Laney lifted the package off of the table and slowly began to unwrap it. “If this is more jewelry Littrell, you will have to return it.” The bow was now off, the anticipation for Brian was mounting. He wanted her to rip open the package, to see what was inside and cry happily. The wrapping was now strewn on the table and Laney continued to open the box.

Laney gasped slightly as she lifted out the tiniest pair of baby booties. “Brian, I don't know what to say. Oh my, this is, this is …” She couldn't seem to finish her statement.

“I know we said we were going to wait longer, but we have so much love it's only fair that we share it with a child.”

“Yes.” was all she managed to get out before she stood and pulled Brian up and out of the restaurant. He should have waited, neither one of them was hungry for steak now.


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